Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1887-08-05
Gail right said "Where are you

passed. through several groves VI ldISe
cottonwood trees, and then turned up the
river.
sDo you mind riding all right" asked
the sheriff.
"No," replied.
"I'll make it couple O. dollars extra.
We want to cross up here an get cross
the pint of the reservation an over to
Red Bird on fhe Niobrara fore stop
eco ahead, I'll stay with YOU"
A little later l heard the sound of hoofs
behind u.s. This gave me no uneasiness,
but the moment it struck the ears of my
companions they took their Winchesters
from where they were fastened on the
saddle and began to look back intently.
A moment later q dozen horsemen came
around the point of a bluff at full speed.
Several of the party fired at us. My COM
panions returned the shots and dashed
away, leaving the horses they were lead
ing. | had no doubt that the thieves
from whom they had recovered the horses
were in pursuit, so followed as fast as l
could. We were in an open place near
the river and headed for some cotton
woods about a quarter of a mile distant.
Our horses were on the run, and though
when glanced back I saw that our prlr-
suers were gaining on us, still we could
easily have reached the timber ahead of
them had not a shot from the party be-
hind hit the deputy sheriff. He fell for
ward and struck the ground heavily,
while his horse dashed away. The sheriff
stopped and returned to him, while ball
whistled so uncomfortably close to my
own ears that concluded to do the same.
Our pursuers came up and surrounded us.
1t was growing quite dark by this time,
and I could not well make out their feat
ures, though thought they looked more
like farmers than horse thieves. In q
moment my suspicious were confirmed.
81 reckon we've got ye this time" said
one of the party, "an' ye bet We'll show
We what this 'ere vigilance committee con-
siders good for boss thieves!"
The wounded man was taken up and
placed on horseback, two men were de-
tailed to guard each one of us and we
started back. l tried to explain my con-
nection with the others, but was silenced
by the gruff voice of the leader, who as
sured me that 1 would have chance to
explain things at the trial. This relieved
me somewhat, as I had no doubt that
could easily prove my innocence. We
rode till about midnight, when we came
to small cluster of houses called Mineral
Springs. We drew up before a long log
house, which proved to be saloon and
hotel combined. The bar room was Lit up
and there were number of men inside
and horses tied outside. They gave o
loud cheer when they saw the prisoners,
and there was a great deal of hurried con-
versation. We were taken inside and
placed under guard. Twenty or thirty
men gathered in the room, when a man
said:
''Well, boys, we've brought 'em in, an.
we got the bosses. l reckon we'd better
try the men an fix everything up to-
night. The cheerman will please come
for ard.n
A man elbowed his way through the
crowd and took his seat on box behind
a card table. 1t was Buck Hawkins. I
FELT still easier, as l had no doubt he
would recognize me and set me at liberty.
The trial vas very informal, and the
other two were quickly disposed of. They
claimed that they had found the horses
cached further up the creek and never
stole them. twas admitted thai perhaps
they found them hidden, but it was
charged that some Others of the gang put
them there. "Besides,n said one man,
''s'pose they did find 'em cached-what
business they got tryin' to run 'em out
the country?'
''That's it," said Hawkins, whose jul
dicial mind instantly grasped this impor-
tant point, ''they hadn't no business at
all, an | reckon we'd better hang 'em fer
luck''
This was assented to with yell and
Hawkins started to get up. I saw that I
had been included with the others and
that must crowd in my defense. &C
cordingly asked them to hold on and told
my story. When 1 finished short thick
set man showed his hands little deeper
into his pockets and said.
"Gentlemen, | want % remark I've
heered that air story occasionally before
this!''
This was greeted by loud laugh and
everybody agreed to it.
''But see here, Hawkins" I said, my
heart beginning to sink, ''you know me
you've seen me before.n
ooh, reckon 1 seed We once" he re-
piled without looking at me.
''Then you know I'm not a horse thief"
"Can't say that do / saw We on q
steamboat couple of months ago, but
boss thieves can ride on steamboats, ~
Like nearly everything else this was
agreed to with loud applause. I saw that
my chances were growing desperate, and
used every argument in my power to con-
vince them that L was innocent. The
men 1 had fallen in with put in their
testimony in my behalf, but to no effect
They were especially anxious to see me
hang after one of the committee closely
scrutinized me, and identified me as Doc
Billings, one of the leaders of the gang.
'He looks young, but he's hard one,"
JOt, 1nI
that / should hang with the others. All
seemed to be in favor of carrying the SEN
tence out Immediately. Here Hawkins
rose and said:
"Gentlemen, it wouldn't be fair shake
Ter the other boys-wait till mornin' till
they come in to help. Besides, they may
bring in some more of, the gang, an we
can string 'em all up together
This was agreed to as readily as every
thing else, and we were taken to an empty
log house a little distance from the rest
and three men detailed to guard us.
We were each given blanket and l
wrapped mine about me and sank down
in q corner with the most terrible feeling
I had ever experienced. My past life
came before me wildly, and my mother
and the home [ had so recently left with
out cause rose up before me and caused
me more bitter anguish than it seemed
could endure. My companions, hardened
by desperate life and perhaps by former
hair breadth escapes, conversed in whis-
pers for some time, and seemed to take it
very coolly. After some time the leader
said:
Young Teller, reckon We got to dance
on air long with u.s.
Whether 1 replied or not do not re-
but he continued:
'I'm mighty sorry we got We into it, but
we lowed we'd get way all right. Eff
they swing ye jes' keep up and show yer
sand. They say ye're a boss thief; act s
If We was one. A Teller can't die but
once;;' and with this philosophical reflec-
ton he rolled himself in his blanket, and
he and his companion were soon fast
asleep.
I tossed and rolled in the corner I'M
able to sleep, and, might almost say,
unable to keep awake. 1 felt dazed and
stupid.
1t must have been O'Clock when was
startled by the door opening and one OF 4
the guards stepping in. He came over to
my corner and told me to come out
did SO, and as stepped through the door
! saw man on horseback and another